In the current geological era known as Anthropocene, a significant impact of humans on the Earth’s ecosystem is evident. The loss of shallow wetlands such as ponds and lakes has become a key concern due to human-induced changes. The Anthropocene Epoch is acknowledged unofficially as a time period in which human activity started to influence the planet’s climate and ecosystems heavily.
Shallow Water Wetlands: An Overview
Typically, shallow water wetlands are areas characterized by minimal water flow and permanent or semi-permanent water presence. These include salt lakes, spring pools, volcanic crater lakes, and vernal ponds. Given their shallow nature, sunlight reaches the bottom of the water body promoting continuous mixing, especially in tropical regions like India. However, sediment from catchment areas gradually fills these water bodies, reducing the water depth. Even minor changes in temperature and rainfall can have substantial ecological effects on these wetlands.
Impacts and Concerns
India’s average temperature has increased by 0.7 degrees Celsius from 1901-2018 due to greenhouse gas-induced warming and land-use changes. Such changes can affect regional rainfall patterns, posing a threat to natural ecosystems, agriculture, freshwater resources, public health, and society at large. For instance, in October 2019, Surajpur wetlands experienced lower water levels and high algal production, leading to odor issues.
The Value of Wetlands
Wetlands, often referred to as “nature’s kidneys,” are areas where water is the primary factor controlling environmental conditions and associated plant and animal life. They occur where the water table is near or at the surface, or the land is covered by shallow water. With various types like coastal wetlands, marshes, swamps, bogs, and estuaries, wetlands play a pivotal role in providing food and water, controlling floods, and maintaining ecosystems. They host nearly two-thirds of the world’s fish harvest, making them highly productive ecosystems.
Threats to Wetlands
However, wetlands face multiple threats like urbanization, agriculture, pollution, climate change, dredging, and draining. Near urban centers, wetlands are under increasing pressure due to developmental activities like residential, industrial, and commercial projects. Additionally, pollution from industrial sources, construction debris, and solid waste dumping pose challenges to the biological diversity of wetlands. Climate change impacts such as rising air temperature, precipitation shifts, increased storm frequency also pose significant threats to these ecologically valuable regions.
Efforts towards Wetland Conservation
Despite these threats, various global and national initiatives have been implemented to conserve and restore wetlands. The United Nations declared 2021-2030 as the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, while the Ramsar Convention initiated measures for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. In India, the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 and MoEFCC action plan were established to protect these precious ecosystems. However, with growing populations and unplanned urbanization, an integrated approach in planning, carrying out, and monitoring wetland management is crucial.
Further Steps to Enhance Wetland Conservation
Spreading awareness about the importance of wetlands and monitoring their water quality is fundamental to preventing their further degradation. Effective collaborations among various professionals including ecologists, watershed management specialists, planners, and decision-makers can significantly aid in comprehensive wetland management. Ultimately, preserving these natural systems is not just beneficial for the environment but also essential for human survival and public health.